You Have it All!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Eph 1:3

The truth is, God emptied heaven into you. Think about it...what is there that isn't in Jesus? Well, Jesus, the All in All, is in you. You have it all. The journey, I believe, is in learning to enjoy the blessings and use the tools He's given you as you come to know the One who is the Gift and the Giver.

Ever hear of the Blank Slate theory of human development? It basically stated that each person begins life with nothing...a blank slate. Then, through training, influence, environment, the personality is formed from scratch. Well, that theory turned out to be wrong; no surprise to anyone who's ever raised a child...we're definitely not born blank. God makes people unique from the beginning.

The Blank Slate theory turned out to be bad science, but I think somehow it stuck in the Christian mindset. I know growing up that I had the idea that when I became a Christian, God just wiped my slate clean. Well, that's not necessarily a bad picture of forgiveness, but it's a terrible picture of the life God gives to the believer.

I had this idea that any strength, any character, any spiritual wherewithal or godliness I might gain would have to be added to me, either through Bible study, tribulation, or, perhaps, a zap by the Holy Spirit once in a while. Well, those things have their place, but what a sad way to see myself! No wonder I found Christianity frustrating and miserable!

What the New Testament teaches is that we were not wiped clean, but reborn and re-created. That's much more than a blank slate. In fact, Paul said that at the moment we believed in Jesus, God gave us every spiritual blessing that exists in the realm of heaven. Then, Peter said that we had been given everything we need to live this life and to live like God in this world.

My favorite is in Romans 8. Paul basically said, and I paraphrase, "Hey, God gave you His only Son...what else is there? What else could you possibly need? And after a gift like that, what would God withhold from you? I think He's proved where His heart is."

I truly practice a new version of Christianity now...well, actually, I think it's nearer the original version. I never ask God to give me anything...never. I realize I have it all. I pray a lot more than I ever did before when it was always asking for stuff, but now I do a lot of thanking and praising and just talking to my Dad (God, that is). I actually listen now, and, yes, He talks a lot, too.

The truth is, God emptied heaven into you. Think about it...what is there that isn't in Jesus? Well, Jesus, the All in All, is in you. You have it all. The journey, I believe, is in learning to enjoy the blessings and use the tools He's given you as you come to know the One who is the Gift and the Giver.

References: Romans 6,8, Galatians 2, 2 Corinthians 5, Ephesians 1,4, 2 Peter 1